Man caught trying to enter Magic Kingdom with gun

[fosse76]

There is no "evidence," but one must ask, why else would a man would pose as a police officer to bring a gun into a theme park? Do you have any ideas? I don't. Sounds awfully suspicious to me.

So there certainly is a possibility that he intended to shoot people. I'd say it's likely based on the situation, but that's up for interpretation, I guess. Anyway, security thankfully prevented us from ever knowing if that was his intention or not.

I happen to believe it was worth preventing that possibility.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc. This is a fallacy. It's hardly ever true. You have no evidence to substantiate your "belief" that the coincidental choice to have him go through the metal detector prevented a shooting inside the park. I have a theory that the more vocal open/concealed carry proponents simply want to be able to bully or scare people by carrying their firearms and use safety as a red herring and I suspect he is one of those people, carrying a weapon to show how "tough" he is and that no one can "mess" with him. The article is a little vague, but he admitted right away that he had a firearm in his pocket. People intent on committing crimes would most likely try to flee or put up a fight.

But someone could shoot others anywhere. At a hotel, in a parking lot, at a golf course, at Disney Springs. But the MK is a bigger target. Crowded places are also bigger targets. Lessening the heavy crowds right outside of the Magic Kingdom would likely discourage a psychopath from shooting or bombing, because his act or terror would be less effective.

Which is why most sane, intelligent people see these procedures as nothing more than "theater". It might slightly help prevent a mild disagreement from escalating into a "rage" incident, but it will not stop a terrorist (which is why these procedures were implemented). As has been mentioned before in this thread and by myself and others in other threads, the security checkpoints can just as easily be a target, and possibly be more effective as far as casualties are concerned, more so than a target inside the parks.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Unless the guy reports what he was doing bringing his concealed weapon with him into the park, we can only speculate. Disney security happened to catch this guy off guard and he knew once he was headed to the metal detector, the weapon would be revealed. So he tried bluffing his way out with a bad police ID. Some guys never want to stop playing cop. No one can tell what his motives were. Disney will use this story to continue the illusion we are safe on their property. Someone with evil intentions will use it as a way to construct a plan to avoid detection. Wide scale detectors will lengthen security lines and cause delays into the parks, and even then someone will figure out a way to beat the system. No matter what precautions are taken, there will always be someone that can get by.

 

[Nubs70]

If one considers TSA screening as most effective, how can WDW have high level security and increase the bottom line?

Institute "Island Theory"

Require resort accommodation for park entry.

Build more resorts.

No more private vehicles on premise.

Coordinate with area airports and load MDE within the secure area of the airport. Unload within secure resort perimeter.

This would guarantee extreme room occupancy rates.

 

[DManRightHere]

I'm just here to remind folks that real terrorists don't use pockets pea shooters. I'll go through mandatory detectors for everyone if that blankey makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, but it's really not the best solution.

A terrorist is a terrorist.

I saw a couple in Universal walking around in camo cargo pants, the guy had a jacket too. Plenty of places to hide components and clips. I did not think twice about them as they were smiling and taking pictures. Highly unlikely they would get through security.

I get the idea metal detectors are pointless, but it is better than nothing.

The alternative is to allow anyone to bring their personal gun into the parks. Not an honor system of "weapons and firearms prohibited". A sign is more pointless than the metal detecting. Would allowing guns in the parks be a good idea? No, getting in and off rides, some rides will eat stuff from your pockets (as we saw on dinosaur awhile back). Guns would be lost, kids could find them and then who knows what. At Universal, many rides do not allow loose articles, guns getting lost in lockers. It is just not a good idea.

The metal detectors are fine. Yes, an attack could happen at the security checks, but at least security/police/swat should know where the attack is occuring, have cameras, and hopefully well trained for the security check area.

I am also open to ideas. What is the best solution?

 

[WDWLover#1]

Yes everybody should go through the metal detectors. Universal has better control with their security.

But then again we don't know what goes on in the park day to day. There is stuff all over that you'll never know about.

 

[DManRightHere]

But then again we don't know what goes on in the park day to day. There is stuff all over that you'll never know about.

What does you mean?

 

[Vaughn4380]

Would allowing guns in the parks be a good idea?

I have to say that I would much prefer off duty law enforcement have their guns at all times. Most agencies require holsters to have a retention device, even for off duty carry. If we trust these guys to protect the public while on duty (and they somehow seem to be able to not lose their guns on the clock), then they can decide if they want to carry in parks while off duty.

We have had several incidents locally where an off duty officer stopped a crime in progress. Plus they are already trained to handle crowded situations while dealing with terrorists (something a CCW holder might not be). A blanket ban on off-duty officers makes no sense in today's world.

With that statement, I also understand Disney is a private company and can handle their property as they see fit.

 

[GregIsNewAroundHere]

I wonder what the policy is for expectant mothers refusing to go through the detectors?

I would the policy is to get them a basic high school education. The metal detector isn't going to hurt you or the baby.

 

[DManRightHere]

I have to say that I would much prefer off duty law enforcement have their guns at all times. Most agencies require holsters to have a retention device, even for off duty carry. If we trust these guys to protect the public while on duty (and they somehow seem to be able to not lose their guns on the clock), then they can decide if they want to carry in parks while off duty.

We have had several incidents locally where an off duty officer stopped a crime in progress. Plus they are already trained to handle crowded situations while dealing with terrorists (something a CCW holder might not be). A blanket ban on off-duty officers makes no sense in today's world.

With that statement, I also understand Disney is a private company and can handle their property as they see fit.

Well, off duty officers should be perfectly fine, but is probably not allowed anyways because potential lawsuits if something did happen.

Secondly, I am talking about general public and those with conceal carry.

 

[Erich]

"Deputies said Webb was randomly selected to go through the metal detector into the park."

Well we now know the metal detectors work. If they had randomly selected the person in front of or behind this person there would have been a loaded weapon in the park. Maybe time for everyone to go through metal detectors. It might be quicker than inspecting every individual bag.

At recently I've noticed that they search every bag, and everyone has to go through metal detectors. Strollers have a different process that is off to the side.

 

[rob0519]

At recently I've noticed that they search every bag, and everyone has to go through metal detectors. Strollers have a different process that is off to the side.

There has be to a better and faster way to search bags or as I suggested earlier, allowing only clear vinyl bags as is done by the NFL. The whole idea that it takes almost as much time to get into an amusement park as it does to get on an airplane is ridiculous. Takes a little more luster off the "home of the free" slogan.

 

[SJFPKT]

On my trip last month I was "randomly selected" at all four theme parks to go through the metal detector. It's time for everyone to go through.

They are going to have to figure out what to do with people with Pacemakers before they decided to put everyone through. My wife has a pacemaker and she wasn't able to do her "random selection" and the had no idea what to do with her, cause they aren't allowed to pat anyone down. I was like oh well, yall have a good day.

 

[Erich]

There has be to a better and faster way to search bags or as I suggested earlier, allowing only clear vinyl bags as is done by the NFL. The whole idea that it takes almost as much time to get into an amusement park as it does to get on an airplane is ridiculous. Takes a little more luster off the "home of the free" slogan.

I mean with all the trouble Disneh is already going through with security changes, I doubt that they will make people use clear bags as it would cause more of a hastle.

I agree that it takes a long time but then you have to ask yourself if you would rather know that you are safe to an extent, or to get through the line faster.

 

[Erich]

They are going to have to figure out what to do with people with Pacemakers before they decided to put everyone through. My wife has a pacemaker and she wasn't able to do her "random selection" and the had no idea what to do with her, cause they aren't allowed to pat anyone down. I was like oh well, yall have a good day.

I see what our saying, but I feel like eventually they will have a staff team that will be able to do that. As of right now it's just security cast members saying go though the machine and if your ok or somethings wrong. Once they get this under control they will have a solution.

 

[fngoofy]

I have the solution to how WDW should do security:
1) Place a large building in front of the TTC, call it the embarkation center. Route all day traffic thru here for all parks (extend monorail.) Design building to parse people into the right destination and then into smaller and smaller groups to minimize the impact of any shenanigans. Then all are checked prior to entering the Disney system and do not need to be checked upon arrival at the parks or when using WDW transportation later in the day. Once through security, as long as you don't leave the system you don't need to be rechecked.

2) At all resorts have security check before entering the hotel and the again before entering into the WDW transportation system. Then same rules apply as above.

The pros of this are that you can consolidate the points of entry into the system, you can standardize policy and procedures, and you can run a closed system that is much more efficient and secure.

*I'd also like to see a castle wall all around the property that is patrolled and monitored.
**I'd also like to see a border crossing style entering property.
***I'd REALLY like WDW to stop parking semi trailers that guests arrived in (as their vehicle) anywhere near the parks, if seen the parked near the enterance of the Studios in the recent past.

 

[CJR]

(extend monorail.)

Well, I'm sold! haha

 

[lazyboy97o]

A terrorist is a terrorist.

I saw a couple in Universal walking around in camo cargo pants, the guy had a jacket too. Plenty of places to hide components and clips. I did not think twice about them as they were smiling and taking pictures. Highly unlikely they would get through security.

I get the idea metal detectors are pointless, but it is better than nothing.

The alternative is to allow anyone to bring their personal gun into the parks. Not an honor system of "weapons and firearms prohibited". A sign is more pointless than the metal detecting. Would allowing guns in the parks be a good idea? No, getting in and off rides, some rides will eat stuff from your pockets (as we saw on dinosaur awhile back). Guns would be lost, kids could find them and then who knows what. At Universal, many rides do not allow loose articles, guns getting lost in lockers. It is just not a good idea.

The metal detectors are fine. Yes, an attack could happen at the security checks, but at least security/police/swat should know where the attack is occuring, have cameras, and hopefully well trained for the security check area.

I am also open to ideas. What is the best solution?

This doomsday scenario of yours did not exist last year before the metal detectors. It also didn't exist before the bag searches.

 

[jaklgreen]

For those of us that go more often, we should be able to get pre-screened, like the TSA. Then we can flash our cards or scan our bands and go right through.

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

You know...I had a whole response typed up to this but then I got to your last line and realized you're just pushing an agenda with hyperbole. So peace out.

And arguing for whatever your objectives are isn't an agenda somehow?

I then had to laugh as someone responded a gun was not necessary because Gaston would of course save you...... (Noone fights like Gaston...)

Well, Gaston actually DOES use a musket for hunting

 

[RoysCabin]

Whatever one's stance in general, I think we can agree it was for the best that a loaded weapon (was it loaded? Even if it wasn't it could still cause a panic for people just trying to enjoy their vacations) wasn't introduced into a confined area with tens of thousands of people inside it. Even if the guy had no intention of doing anything bad, there's always the off-chance that somebody gets cranky in the heat, miffed at getting cut in line, or into a shouting match over a meet and greet opportunity and, next thing you know, somebody's doing something everybody would regret. Just not worth the risk.